Anthurium plant named Sundial

ABSTRACT

An Anthurium plant named `Sundial` having shiny bright red spathes with a white spadix, with the spathes being carried above the foliage. The leaves are leathery, very dark green, and very shiny. The plant habit is dense and well branched.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Anthurium, botanically known as Anthurium hybrid, and referred to by the cultivar name `Sundial`.

The new cultivar is a product of a breeding program carried out by the inventors Ann E. Lamb and Robert D. Hartman in Apopka and Sebring, Fla., and is the result of the following cross made in Apopka, Fla. in February 1993:

    An unnamed Anthurium hybrid identified by a proprietary code number ×Anthurium `94-4`, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,820.

The cultivar was discovered from the progeny of the stated cross in March 1995 by Ann E. Lamb. Tissue culture performed by or under the supervision of Ann E. Lamb at Sebring, Fla. was used to increase the number of plants for evaluation and has demonstrated the stability of the combination of characteristics of `Sundial` from generation to generation.

The following observations, measurements and values describe plants grown in Homestead, Fla. under shade house conditions which closely approximate those generally used in horticulture practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed to be characteristics which in combination distinguish `Sundial` from other Anthuriums of the same general type, for example, the unpatented cultivar `Lady Jane` to which comparative reference is made.

1. `Sundial` produces shiny bright red spathes, with a white spadix, with the spathes being carried above and among the foliage.

2. The leaves are very dark green, leathery, and very shiny.

3. The growth habit is dense and well branched.

4. The spathe color actually darkens somewhat as the spathe matures, an important feature to the ultimate consumer.

Compared to `Lady Jane`, `Sundial` has a branched growth habit. In addition, the inflorescences of `Sundial` are bright red, more abundantly produced, and much larger, wider and flatter than those of `Lady Jane`.

All color references are measured against The Royal Horticultural Society Color Chart. Colors are approximate as color depends on horticultural practices such as light level and fertilization rate, among others, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The color photographic drawing comprises a top perspective view of the inflorescence and foliage of a plant of `Sundial` in a 15.3 cm pot approximately 10 months after planting a 20 week old liner obtained by tissue culture and grown under appropriate growing conditions. Colors are as accurate as possible with color illustrations of this type.

Origin: Seedling selected from a cross of an unnamed Anthurium hybrid identified by a proprietary code number×Anthurium `94-4`.

Classification: Anthurium hybrid, cv, `Sundial`.

Propagation: Asexual propagation either by tissue culture or division.

INFLORESCENCE

Immature: The spathe is tightly rolled around the spadix and emerges from the petiole sheath. The spathe is fully open about when the peduncle is fully elongated, approximately 24.5 cm to 27 cm above the soil surface. The color of the flower peduncle is 146 C lightly flushed with 175 A.

Mature:

Color.--Fully open: Upper surface: 46 B-C. Lower surface: 47 A. Faded: Upper Surface: 46 A. Lower Surface: Darker and redder than, but closest to, 47 A.

Arrangement.--The inflorescence terminates from a straight wiry peduncle and opens vertically among or above the leaves.

Shape.--The spathe is ovate with a cordate base and a cuspidate tip.

Size.--The fully expanded spathe is approximately 4.6 cm to 6 cm long and approximately 4.1 cm to 4.6 cm in width.

Flowering time.--After approximately 10 months from a 20 week old liner for an untreated plant as illustrated in the photograph and depending on season, approximately 4 to 5 blossoms will be present. Smaller blooms may occur on less mature growth. First flowers are typically produced approximately 2-3 months after planting a 20 week old liner. Approximately 2 flowers are present.

Reproductive organs:

Spadix.--Size: Approximately 3 cm to 3.7 cm in height and approximately 5 mm in width. Color: When the spathe unrolls, the spadix is 155 D, with 50 A at the tip. Stamens: Anthers and filaments are minute and not clearly visible. Pollen is white in color. Pistil: Translucent white, protruding between the staminate flowers, firmly fixed to the main axil. The pistilate flowers extend approximately 0.5 mm beyond the staminate flowers.

General appearance: Under appropriate growing conditions `Sundial` reaches a size of approximately 21 cm to 24 cm in height and approximately 45 cm to 47.5 cm in width.

Leaves:

Form.--The leaf blade is ovate with an acute tip and a truncate base. The midrib is straight over the length of the leaf, and often curved downward at the tip. The leaf margins are somewhat wavy. The leaf blade is leathery in texture, with a very shiny surface.

Size.--Leaf blades of a mature size plant are approximately 14.5 cm to 16 cm in length and approximately 7.4 cm to 9 cm in width measured at the widest point.

Veins.--The veins are sunken, with the leaf blade slightly convex between veins on the upper surface. The midrib protrudes from the upper surface of the leaf for approximately 2/3 the length of the leaf. Well defined primary veins on leaves radiate out from the juncture of the petiole and the leaf. Veins stand out prominently on the lower side. There are approximately 4-6 primary veins on the leaf.

Petiole.--The petiole is approximately 16.2 cm to 18 cm in height from the base of the petiole to the base of the leaf blade on the primary shoot. The petiole is approximately 3.7 mm in diameter just below the geniculum. The petiole below the geniculum is straight. Secondary shoots are somewhat smaller depending on the age of the shoot.

Petiole wings.--Petiole wings are approximately 1.2 cm to 1.6 cm in length and approximately 3 mm in width at their midpoint. The tip of the petiole wings is rounded. There is approximately 14.3 cm between the top of the wing and the base of the geniculum.

Geniculum.--The geniculum is approximately 1.8 cm to 2.3 cm in length, approximately 4.1 mm in diameter, and is often curved.

Lobes.--The leaf has two lobes which do not extend past the petiole. The distance from the petiole/leaf juncture to the highest point on the blade is approximately 4.2 cm to 5.3 cm.

Colors.--Upper surface: Much darker and greener than, but closest to, 147 A. Newly expanded leaves are lightly flushed with bronze 175 A. Lower surface: 146 B. Midrib, upper surface: 146 B. Midrib, lower surface: Lighter and greener than, but closest to, 146 C. Petiole: 146 B, flushed with 175 A when exposed to bright light. Petiole wing: 146 D. Geniculum: 146 D, flushed with 175 A when exposed to bright light.

Roots: White fleshy roots with fine laterals. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Anthurium plant named `Sundial`, as illustrated and described. 